The Eiffel Tower: A French Icon You Can Incorporate Into Your Home And Garden Decor
You don't have to be a Francophile (a lover of French culture) to recognize the Eiffel Tower as one of the most incredible landmarks in the world. But if you are interested in all things French, you may be impressed by these facts about this tourist attraction that sees millions of visitors each year. If you're really a fan, you can even incorporate the Eiffel Tower as a theme in your home and garden decor.
The Early Years of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 to serve as the entrance to the World's Fair. It was named for Gustave Eiffel, who owned the company responsible for its construction.
While the Eiffel Tower used to be the tallest building in the world, it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in the 1930s. The official height of the Eiffel Tower is 1,063 feet, but it can grow by six inches with thermal expansion.
A Miracle of Construction
Although the Eiffel Tower was originally considered ugly by many Parisians, it is now revered as a beautiful, delicate-looking structure. Its fine web-like appearance, however, belies its underlying strength given by 18,038 pieces of riveted iron.
La Tour Eiffel, as it is known in French, is also sometimes called "The Iron Lady." All that metal requires protection from the elements, and it is a major repainting job when the Eiffel Tower needs a periodic facelift.
How to Make the Eiffel Tower Part of Your Home
There is a full-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower in Tokyo and a smaller version in Las Vegas. Now you too can have the Eiffel Tower in your home, with some of the fantastic tower-themed decor available today.
Statues are probably the most common way to collect Eiffel Tower images. You can group them together en masse on a tabletop or dresser, or use them as bookends. You can find large wire Eiffel Towers for garden statuary, which you can also use as a framework for an Eiffel Tower topiary made of ivy or like climbing plants.
Whether you like tabletop or wall mounted Eiffel Tower replicas, Eiffel Tower clocks are another popular way to have this most French of landmarks in your living room or bedroom. Don't be afraid to expand the theme to framed photo prints, paintings, or vintage postcards. Some other ways to work the Eiffel Tower theme into your decor include:
- pillows and linens
- wall paper
- desk accessories
- table centerpieces and candle holders
- perfume bottles
- salt and pepper shakers
- Christmas tree ornaments
The Eiffel Tower is one of those rare themes than can be repeated throughout a room without looking kitschy. If you want to add personal products along the same motif, there are Eiffel Tower print pajamas, or you could try this adorable DIY microwave heat bag. With its classically French lavender scent, you'll be saying "oh la la" in no time.
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